Plate No. 13Contours of Equal Difference in Water Levels, 1952 to 1999

Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District- 24 -

- 25 -

2.7 Water Demand and Supply The dominant use of water within the District occurs from irrigated agricultural. Average annual applied

water demand for crops grown in the District is approximately 3.7 acre-feet per acre. The applied water

demand ranges from 1.9 acre-feet per acre for truck crops to 6.5 acre-feet per acre for pasture. A summary

tabulation of estimated annual water demands for crops grown in the District for the years 1981, 1990 and

1999 is set forth in Table 5 on the following page. Uses outside of irrigated agriculture commonly include

municipal, industrial and domestic applications. Table 4 presents a summary of water demands within the

District that are not classified as irrigated agricultural.

TABLE 4 ESTIMATED M&I WATER DEMAND IN THE DISTRICT

(Values in Acre-Feet) Use Classification 1981 1990 1999

Urban Water Demand 24,167 32,947 42,457

Public Water System Demand 5,739 7,222 8,242

Rural Domestic Water Demand 1,876 1,876 1,876

Dairy and Related Water Demand 4,169 10,846 16,255

TOTAL 35,951 52,891 68,830 Reference: Water Resources Investigation of the Kaweah Delta Water

Conservation District (Final Report 2003) The District receives approximately 80% of its average annual surface water supply from the Kaweah

River System and approximately 20% of its average surface water supply through imported water. Water

demands that are not met from the supply of surface water are pumped from the groundwater basin. Since

1962, records show that over 5 million acre-feet of water has been imported into the District. The annual

imported supply is variable and is dependent on available CVP supply. Kings River water is also diverted

into the District. The annual imported surface water supply and deliveries (1963 through 2005) are

presented in Table 6, Kaweah Delta Water Supply Inventory.

Notable changes that have affected water supplies to the District include the following:

ü Central Valley Project (1950’s)

ü Terminus Project (Lake Kaweah: 1962)

ü State Water Project (Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District: 1968)

ü Terminus Project (Lake Kaweah Enlargement: 2004)

TA

BLE

5

ES

TIM

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1981

19

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1999

Cat

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Ave

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D

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65

365,

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77

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206,

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62

182,

174

65,9

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184,

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87,9

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242

- 26 -

- 26 -

- 26 -

- 26 -

- 27 -

TABLE 6 KAWEAH DELTA WATER SUPPLY INVENTORY

(Values in Acre-Feet) SURFACE WATER INFLOW SURFACE WATER OUTFLOW

Water Year Terminus

Flows Creek Flows

CVP Imports

Kings River

TOTAL Spills Friant-Kern

Pumping TOTAL

1962-63 474,120 10,604 285,741 0 770,465 14,027 0 14,027 1963-64 228,099 3,703 105,736 0 337,538 1,190 0 1,190 1964-65 481,989 19,044 276,516 0 777,548 5,399 0 5,399 1965-66 246,551 1,648 117,175 0 365,375 2,900 0 2,900 1966-67 1,000,713 79,997 282,316 8,481 1,371,506 104,794 0 104,794 1967-68 231,545 2,168 134,922 0 368,635 3,775 0 3,775 1968-69 1,185,412 141,336 186,749 0 1,513,497 418,092 0 418,092 1969-70 429,185 13,329 113,373 26,468 582,355 17,586 0 17,586 1970-71 287,302 5,353 113,044 17,294 422,993 0 0 0 1971-72 163,243 1,835 42,014 0 207,092 0 0 0 1972-73 609,878 40,565 172,628 28,961 852,032 34,229 0 34,229 1973-74 485,551 27,093 260,418 19,785 792,847 29,566 0 29,566 1974-75 376,310 13,916 162,649 20,168 573,043 7,589 0 7,589 1975-76 135,927 1,505 36,782 1,753 175,968 202 0 202 1976-77 96,161 196 109 0 96,467 0 0 0 1977-78 814,317 99,802 122,348 9,037 1,045,504 44,863 9,112 53,975 1978-79 420,353 19,246 287,179 7,716 734,494 13,885 0 13,885 1979-80 874,598 62,371 209,303 1,087 1,147,359 97,785 5,096 102,880 1980-81 246,907 5,697 66,293 11,118 330,014 1,956 0 1,956 1981-82 742,680 41,983 241,594 3,217 1,029,474 58,035 29,532 87,568 1982-83 1,398,397 171,130 62,601 0 1,632,129 459,619 148,197 607,816 1983-84 528,171 37,214 121,468 42,685 729,538 79,973 0 79,973 1984-85 328,718 6,553 92,348 3,207 430,827 367 0 367 1985-86 808,032 51,337 163,909 18,068 1,041,345 63,660 92,739 156,399 1986-87 180,551 3,160 30,671 2,430 216,812 0 0 0 1987-88 182,282 2,747 99,058 1,995 286,082 0 0 0 1988-89 207,723 2,269 39,612 1,000 250,604 0 0 0 1989-90 134,201 859 0 0 135,060 0 0 0 1990-91 246,485 4,741 7,716 0 258,942 0 0 0 1991-92 146,744 1,787 17,639 1,226 167,397 0 0 0 1992-93 545,966 26,420 145,690 7,093 725,169 0 0 0 1993-94 188,055 2,535 27,777 1,392 219,760 0 0 0 1994-95 854,667 58,872 125,682 13,383 1,052,604 114,966 0 114,966 1995-96 518,993 21,753 128,521 33,796 703,063 236 0 236 1996-97 760,268 68,708 82,930 20,734 932,641 170,109 54,780 224,889 1997-98 906,426 127,460 79,058 13,918 1,126,862 94,306 137,018 231,324 1998-99 283,025 25,311 124,909 20,107 453,352 7,734 0 7,734 1999-00 361,012 35,084 114,236 2,575 512,907 21,479 0 21,479 2000-01 259,317 5,645 23,296 6,944 295,203 8 0 8 2001-02 297,368 5,427 41,654 2,095 346,543 81 0 81 2002-03 426,046 8,704 122,039 11,732 568,521 530 0 2,156 2003-04 229,667 2,410 34,374 73,973 340,424 391 0 805 2004-05 614,095 18,274 240,023 80,064 952,456 2,372 0 2,372 TOTAL 19,937,050 1,279,791 5,142,100 513,502 26,872,447 1,871,704 476,474 2,350,218

AVERAGE 463,652 29,763 119,584 11,942 624,941 43,528 11,081 54,656

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SECTION 3: MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

3.1 Statutory Authority The District hereby includes in its groundwater management program the right to engage in all of those

activities provided by statutes, which authorize or are related to Plan developments.

California Water Code § 10753.7(a) states that, for the District to have a qualifying plan eligible to

receive state funds administered by the Department of Water Resources, that such plan shall include as

components all of the following:

(1) Prepare and implement basin management objectives; (2) Involve other agencies to work cooperatively; (3) Prepare a Plan Area map detailing the groundwater basin; and (4) Adopt monitoring protocols designed to detect changes in groundwater conditions.

California Water Code § 10753.8 authorizes the District to include as components in its groundwater

management plan the following:

(a) The control of saline water intrusion; (b) Identification and management of wellhead protection areas and recharge areas; (c) Regulation of the migration of contaminated groundwater; (d) The administration of a well abandonment and well destruction program; (e) Mitigation of conditions of overdraft; (f) Replenishment of groundwater extracted by water producers; (g) Monitoring of groundwater levels and storage; (h) Facilitating conjunctive use operations; (i) Identification of well construction policies; (j) The construction and operation by the local agency of groundwater contamination

cleanup, recharge, storage, conservation, water recycling and extraction projects; (k) The development of relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies; and (l) The review of land use plans and coordination with land use planning agencies to

assess activities, which create a reasonable risk of groundwater contamination.

Additionally, the District intends to exercise all of the authority given to a water replenishment district in

California Water Code § 60220 through § 60232, together with the authority of a water replenishment

district to fix and collect fees and assessments within the Plan Area for groundwater management in

accordance with California Water Code § 60300 through § 60352, as may be necessary for the District to

accomplish the purposes and goals of the Plan.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the District reserves the right to decide whether or not it will be involved

and to the extent to which it will be involved in each of the activities authorized by the aforementioned

- 29 -

statutes. The District assumes no responsibility or liability for any authorized activity in which it is not

actually involved. Further, upon thirty (30) days written notice to all other local agencies located within

the Plan Area, the District may terminate the Plan, together with any and all activities, which may be a

part of its groundwater management program at the time of such termination. The District shall not be

required to notify other local agencies, or anyone else, if it merely terminates its involvement in an

activity authorized by the aforementioned statutes, without terminating the Plan itself.

3.2 Basin Management Objectives The goal of the Plan is to offer efficient and effective groundwater management in an effort to provide a

sustainable, high quality supply of groundwater for agricultural, environmental and urban use for the

future. The groundwater of San Joaquin Valley Groundwater Basin aquifer underlying the Kaweah Delta

Water Conservation District is a significant water resource that must be reasonably used and conserved

for the benefit of the overlying lands. This can be accomplished by avoiding extractions that exceed safe

yield or produce a condition of overdraft within the Plan Area.

To accomplish the Plan’s goal, the following management objectives are adopted under the Plan:

ü Stabilize and potentially reverse the long-term decline of groundwater levels

ü Monitor groundwater quality

ü Monitor inelastic land surface subsidence resulting from groundwater pumping

ü Maintain and augment surface water supplies that directly affect groundwater levels

ü Monitor changes to surface water quality that directly affect groundwater quality

ü Evaluate groundwater replenishment projects

ü Evaluate cooperative management projects

ü Provide effective and efficient management of groundwater recharge projects, facilities and programs

ü Coordinate groundwater basin management with local agencies with groundwater authority within the Plan Area

Each of the adopted management objectives is designed toward attaining the Plan’s goal. The way in

which each objective contributes toward a more reliable supply of groundwater for long-term benefical

use is described as follows:

ü Stabilizing or reversing long-term decline of groundwater levels provides a balancing between groundwater demand and supply, ensuring a resource that will be available into the future

ü Monitoring groundwater quality will enable the Plan to assess possible impacts that might diminish the usability of the resource

- 30 -

ü Monitoring inelastic land surface subsidence is valuable in determining available groundwater storage and evaluating groundwater supplies

ü Maintenance and augmentation of surface water supplies will reduce expected impacts of increased demands on groundwater supplies, which is critical in maintaining the ability to stabilize long-term draw down

ü Monitoring surface water quality changes will enable the Plan to assess possible impacts that might diminish the usability of the resource

ü Evaluation of replenishment projects will focus on providing greater recharge productivity, which will make the most efficient and effective use of facilities and resources.

ü Evaluation of cooperative management projects is an effort to provide for greater recharge opportunities, which is important in attaining the stabilization of groundwater levels

ü Providing effective and efficient management of groundwater recharge projects, facilities and programs works toward increasing recharge in the efforts to stabilize groundwater levels

ü Coordinating groundwater basin management will promote a consistency in objectives between local agencies, providing a unified approach to meeting goals.

The interaction between basin management objectives, Plan elements and corresponding activities is

fundamental to Plan effectiveness. The Plan will be carried out based upon the specific correlations

developed between objectives and activities. The relationships for implementation of the Plan are

diagramed in Plate No. 14.

3.3 Monitoring Program Attaining the Plan’s goal requires obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the interactive components

that comprise and define the aquifer system. A vital Plan function is the collection of information

concerning and related to groundwater conditions. Management objectives have been founded upon the

knowledge of past and current conditions ascertained through the District’s monitoring efforts. The Plan

will continue to progress toward its goal through ongoing monitoring of the following components:

ü Groundwater Supply and Quality

ü Surface Water Supply and Quality

ü Surface Water Management

ü Inelastic Land Surface Subsidence

Consistent and reliable information is critical for any monitoring program. The Plan will be able to

achieve this requirement through the implementation of monitoring protocols. Protocols have been and

will continue to be developed to track changes in conditions.

Evaluate cooperative management projects

PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

Land Use Planning

Groundwater Model

Groundwater Reports

Plan Re-evaluation

Dispute Resolution

Program Funding and Fees

Plate No. 14Groundwater Management Plan Implementation Diagram

Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District

BASIN MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE PLAN ELEMENT ACTIVIITY

LEGEND

Stabilize and potentially reverse the long-term decline of groundwater levels

Maintain and augment surface water supplies that directly affect groundwater levels

Provide effective and efficient management of groundwater recharge projects, facilities and programs

SUSTAINABILITY

GroundwaterReplenishment

Overdraft Mitigation

Conjunctive Use

Evaluate groundwater replenishment projects

Monitor groundwater quality

Monitor inelastic land surface subsidence resulting from groundwater pumping

Monitor changes to surface water quality that directly affect groundwater quality

MONITORING PROGRAM

Groundwater

Surface Water

Water Transfers

Inelastic Land Surface Subsidence

Monitoring Protocols

Coordinate groundwater basin management with local agencies with groundwater authority within the Plan Area

STAKEHOLDERINVOLVEMENT

Memorandum of Understanding

Advisory Committee

Relationships with Other Agencies

RESOURCE PROTECTION

Well Abandonment

Wellhead Protection

Migration of Contaminated Groundwater

Well Construction Policies

Saline Water Intrusion

- 31 -

- 32 -

3.3.1 Groundwater The District has an extensive monitoring network that was initially established in the 1950’s. This

network has been maintained and improved in a continuing effort to provide reliable information for

annual and long-term assessment of groundwater conditions. Plate 15 identifies the location of monitoring

sites where groundwater level measurements are currently collected. Ongoing groundwater monitoring

will provide information needed to document current conditions, assess long-term trends and to support

development and implementation of objectives associated with:

ü Groundwater levels

ü Groundwater quality

ü Inelastic land surface subsidence

3.3.1.1 Groundwater Levels Since the establishment of the groundwater monitoring network, the District has performed static

groundwater level measurements in the spring and fall periods. Such measuring operations have been

performed in coordination with DWR’s semiannual requests for groundwater levels. The information is

utilized by DWR in mapping groundwater levels for the San Joaquin Valley Groundwater Basin and by

the District in annual reporting of groundwater conditions.

The District shall continue to monitor groundwater levels semi-annually. Further, the District will prepare

charts depicting the information gathered through the monitoring phase, as well as reports quantifying the

water demands, surface water and groundwater supplies. These summaries will assist the District in

evaluating the effectiveness of the various elements of its program. The collection of this data will be

continued with the conduct of the Plan. The information that has been prepared from this data in the past

includes the following:

ü Charts of spring and fall water elevations

ü Charts of spring and fall depths to groundwater

ü Charts showing the changes in groundwater levels

In addition, groundwater reports could include estimates of changes in groundwater storage, water

delivered, water use and overdraft. Existing information coupled with possible new data would benefit the

evaluation of the effectiveness of management activities.

- 33 -

- 34 -

3.3.1.2 Groundwater Quality The District will pursue the collection of groundwater quality data from those agencies that have existing

programs that record and report on relevant conditions. The effort will be focused toward monitoring key

indicators of groundwater quality for the aquifers lying within the District. The indicators that the Plan

will concentrate on will consist of the following:

ü Temperature

ü Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

ü Electrical Conductivity (EC)

ü Acidity (pH)

ü Chloride

ü Sodium

ü Nitrates

The initial effort will be the collection and review of water quality data for adequacy. The Environmental

Health Departments of Kings and Tulare Counties will be used as a primary source for acquiring relevant

data. Additionally, the Regional Water Quality Control Board can provide information gathered through

their regulatory efforts. The District also intends to incorporate findings from the “Ground-Water

Ambient Monitoring and Assessment Program” (GAMA) that is currently being performed by the United

States Geological Survey and the State Water Resources Control Board. Compiling diverse sources of

available information for tracking, trending and reporting within a specified area will be a useful way for

the Plan to monitor groundwater quality conditions.

3.3.2 Surface Water The delivery of surface water throughout the District is known to have a major influence on groundwater

conditions. Percolation of surface water delivered through natural and man-made conveyance facilities is

a primary source of inflow to the aquifers. Approximately 95 percent of all water usage within the District

is for agricultural purposes. The supply for such demands is met with a combination of surface and

groundwater. Therefore, the annual quantity and distribution of surface water has a direct correlation to

the quantity of groundwater withdrawn from the aquifer. The quality of groundwater can also be affected

through its supply source, as well as by changes in aquifer flow conditions that occur from groundwater

elevation differences that result from the aquifer’s response to water demands.

3.3.2.1 Surface Water Flows There are two (2) primary surface water supply sources to lands lying within the Plan. The first source is

water originating from the Kaweah River Watershed and the second from outside water sources such as

the Friant-Kern Canal or Kings River. These available waters are obtained by or entitled to various

irrigation companies and districts for delivery for beneficial purposes to lands within their respective

- 35 -

service areas. Continual measurement of all such surface flows are made and recorded by these entities

for operational and legal purposes. Presently all those entities that have entitlement to Kaweah River

water are bound together by the “Kaweah & St. Johns Rivers Association” (Association). The Association

functions as Watermaster for delivery of waters to its members by means of the natural watercourses that

run throughout the District. In the performance of such duties all surface water deliveries, both Kaweah

River and imported sources, are regularly recorded and reported. Plate 16 identifies the watercourses and

recording station locations operated or reported by the Association.

The District is a Kaweah River entitlement holder and member of the Association and as such has access

to surface water flow information that will be utilized in exercising the Plan. More importantly, the

District is under contract with the Association for performing all management and operational

responsibilities. Thereby, the District directly oversees all aspects of measuring and recording surface

water flows.

3.3.2.2 Surface Water Quality The District will pursue the collection of surface water quality data from those agencies or organizations

that have existing programs that record and report on relevant conditions. The District may use the

surface water quality data it collects to monitor potential contamination of groundwater within the Plan

Area. The effort will be focused toward monitoring key indicators of water that is conveyed in the natural

systems within the District. Those indicators that the Plan will concentrate will consist of the following:

ü Temperature

ü Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

ü Electrical Conductivity (EC)

ü Acidity (pH)

ü Chloride

ü Sodium

ü Nitrates

As with groundwater quality monitoring, the Plan’s initial effort will be the collection and review for

adequacy of surface water quality data. Currently, the Association is engaged in a water quality program

in response to the California Regional Water Quality Control Board’s “Agricultural Conditional

Discharge Waiver.” The program involves performing surface water sampling at established locations on

a defined cycle. Additionally, the Board also has permits in place for the monitoring and regulation of

point source discharges, such as the City of Visalia’s treated effluent discharges into Mill Creek. Plate 17

identifies known locations where surface water is sampled and monitored. The Plan will monitor surface

water quality based upon available data in an effort to provide a consistent representation of key

indicators on an annual and long-term basis.

- 36 -

- 37 -

- 38 -

3.3.3 Water Transfers Since the development of water storage facilities, like Lake Kaweah, water users have been able to

manage surface water supplies for increased benefit. The ability to store water provides opportunities to

acquire additional or release excess supplies through the water transfer process. Water transfers are means

for the redistribution of surface waters to meet water demands. Groundwater is influenced by water

transfers in such a way that those areas that are able to acquire additional surface supplies will

proportionally reduce aquifer withdrawals. The two (2) types of transfers that the Plan is designed to

monitor are Intra-District and Inter-District Transfers.

3.3.3.1 Intra-District Transfers Intra-District surface water transfers are those that occur for the Plan’s native water source, the Kaweah

River, within the Kaweah River Basin as designated by the Association’s “Transfer Policy”. A copy of

the “Transfer Policy” is included in Appendix “A.” Kaweah River entitlement holders that store water

within Lake Kaweah have the ability to transfer quantities of water in storage, under defined conditions,

between like parties. An entitlement holder’s water supply is based upon such factors as mean daily

inflows to the lake and an allocation schedule. The most commonly occurring transfer is between users

that have supplies in excess of their immediate demand to those users that have insufficient supplies.

Frequency and magnitude of transfers are normally a function of the influence of seasonal climatic

conditions on run-off from the watershed. Kaweah River water transfers within the Plan Area take place

on a routine basis. The Plan has and will continue to monitor these transfers and their influence on

groundwater conditions. Water transfers within the Plan Area are permissible and subject to the

administration of the Kaweah River Watermaster under the direction of the Association’s Board of

Directors.

3.3.3.2 Inter-District Transfers Inter-District surface water transfers are those that transfer Kaweah Water outside the District in exchange

for a transfer back into the District from an external water source. The circumstances for these transfers

are similar in nature to Intra-District Transfers. Supply and demand is the driving force behind such

transactions. The main differences consist of utilizing multi-regional conveyance facilities and prolonged

scheduling of deliveries.

Kaweah River water transfers between different water entities have been previously performed and will

continue in the future. In the past, the District and Plan participants have completed such transfers on a

limited basis. Intra-District transfers are seen as a mechanism that could be used to increase the total

water supply within the Plan Area or to augment the water supply in specific areas of the basin during

- 39 -

critically dry years. In all cases, transfers shall be such that there is no net loss of water supply to lands

within the District. The District shall endeavor to promote advantageous water transfers that increase the

water supply available within the Plan Area. The Board of Directors of the District ("District Board of

Directors") has the authority to initiate such transfers.

3.3.4 Inelastic Land Surface Subsidence The San Joaquin Valley has been characterized as the largest human alteration of the earth’s surface. The

reason behind this statement comes from inelastic land surface subsidence that has occurred principally

from aquifer-system compaction. The lowering of groundwater levels through sustained groundwater

overdraft causes this type of subsidence. The impact to groundwater from such subsidence is the

reduction in available aquifer storage capacity caused by the compaction of soil void space that retains

groundwater. Studies performed by the Department of Water Resources and the United States Geological

Survey have identified an area of subsidence in the western portion of the District that correlates with a

confining geologic layer known as the Corcoran Clay. The magnitude of subsidence within this portion of

the District was in the order of four feet for a study period extending from 1926 to 1970. Plate 18 is a

representation of this subsidence in the San Joaquin Valley for this study period as reported in Geological

Survey Professional Paper 437-H2. Studies performed since these findings have revealed a dramatic

decrease in the rate of subsidence. This could be a result of the provision of State Project water to lands

that pumped high amounts of groundwater that were in a condition of sustained groundwater overdraft.

The Plan will continue to monitor inelastic land surface subsidence through the use of research and

reporting accomplished by agencies or organizations with a developed program. Monitoring efforts

relating to subsidence will also consist of annual and long-term evaluations of sustained overdraft. Based

on such indicators versus available data, the Plan will continue to assess the need for a more proactive

approach through implementing subsidence surveying or installing and operating compaction recorders

(extensometers).

3.3.5 Monitoring Protocols Adequate assessment of groundwater conditions requires information that is both consistent and reliable.

This is necessary in order to properly track and evaluate annual and long-term changes in those conditions

that are monitored. The Plan’s monitoring program has developed and employs measures to provide

dependable and comparable data. The monitoring protocols applied by the Plan are outlined as follows:

2 Figure 5, Page H11 of “Land Subsidence in the San Joaquin Valley, California, As of 1972”, Studies of Land Subsidence, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 437-H, by J.F. Poland, B.E. Lofgren, R.L. Ireland, and R.G. Pugh. Prepared in cooperation with the California Department of Water Resources. (1975)

- 41 -

Groundwater Levels: Measurements are taken semi-annually by the District and Plan participants in

coordination with DWR’s Spring and Fall measurement program. All identification, measuring and

recording of data is performed in accordance with DWR’s standards and procedures. The recorded data is

compiled for presentation in the District’s annual groundwater report.

Groundwater Quality: The Plan has established seven (7) different groundwater quality indicators that

will be monitored. The District will annually compile data for the Plan from agencies that regularly

collect groundwater quality data. The information will be organized in a manner for annual presentation

and evaluation of the indicators. The effort will be focused on accumulating analogous data for tracking

changes or trends in groundwater quality conditions.

Surface Water Flows: The District, in accordance with contracted responsibilities to the Association,

regularly acquires surface flow measurements. Most all of the flows are measured on a continuous basis

and in accordance with standard accepted practices. All flow information is compiled into annual water

year reports. The Plan will draw all necessary surface flow information from this source.

Surface Water Quality: The Plan has established seven (7) different surface water quality indicators that

will be monitored. The District will annually compile data for the Plan from agencies that regularly

collect surface water quality data. The information will be organized in a manner for annual presentation

and evaluation of the indicators. The effort will be focused on accumulating analogous data for tracking

changes in surface quality conditions as it relates to groundwater management.

Water Transfers: The District, in accordance with contracted responsibilities to the Association, obtains

all water transfer data on an occurrence basis. The collected information is recorded for reporting in the

Association’s annual water year reports. The Plan will draw all necessary water transfer information from

this source. The data will be assembled in such a manner as to report the redistribution of surface water

throughout the District and evaluate its influence on groundwater conditions.

Inelastic Land Surface Subsidence: The District will annually research known sources, like the United

States Geological Survey or the State Department of Water Resources, for recent documentation and data

from applicable programs focused primarily on the San Joaquin Valley. Pertinent information will be

extracted for assessing conditions for inelastic land surface subsidence within the Plan Area.

- 42 -

3.4 Resource Protection The Plan recognizes the importance of protecting the groundwater aquifer system. This resource is

considered a vital component for both the region’s economy and public health. California Water Code §

10753.8 authorizes the District to include components in its Plan for the provision of resource protection

measures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the District reserves the right to decide whether or not it will be

involved in each of the activities authorized by the aforementioned statute. The Plan provides for resource

protection through federal, state and local agency measures currently in place. The Plan will continue to

coordinate with agencies that have protection measures in the form of ordinances and programs relevant

to the protection of groundwater resources within the Plan Area. The following discussions will focus on

those Plan components that address specific resource protection measures.

3.4.1 Well Abandonment The County of Tulare, Kings County and City of Visalia have adopted Well Ordinances that address well

destruction and establish requirements for destroying or abandoning wells within each agencies

jurisdiction. All of these ordinances have provisions that stipulate impairment of the quality of water

within the well or groundwater encountered by the well is not allowed. Those wells that are identified as

defective require correction of the defective conditions or destruction of the well. Both county agencies

have promoted programs for the destruction of abandoned wells in an effort to reduce potential sources

that could have a negative impact to groundwater. In all cases, the primary responsibility for remedying

defective or abandoned wells falls on the landowner and in those cases of non-compliance, the agencies

have the authority to take necessary action to abate unsatisfactory conditions.

3.4.2 Wellhead Protection The federal Wellhead Protection Program was established by Section 1428 of the Safe Drinking Water

Act Amendments of 1986. The purpose of the program is to protect groundwater sources of public

drinking water supplies from contamination, thereby eliminating the need for costly treatment to meet

drinking water standards. A Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA), as defined by the 1986 Amendments, is

"the surface and subsurface area surrounding a water well or wellfield supplying a public water system,

through which contaminants are reasonably likely to move toward and reach such water well or

wellfield.” The WHPA may also be the recharge area that provides the water to a well or wellfield. Unlike

surface watersheds that can be easily determined from topography, WHPAs can vary in size and shape

depending on geology, pumping rates, and well construction.

Wellhead Protection Programs are not regulatory by nature, nor do they address specific sources. They

are designed to focus on the management of the resource, rather than control a limited set of activities or

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contamination sources. Efforts to supply wellhead protection include Kings County’s ordinance section

for “Special Protection Areas.” The ordinance provides for the prevention of mixing water between

aquifers where groundwater quality problems are known to exist. Other protection areas within the Plan

involve municipal/industrial water systems and small rural domestic water systems that rely on

groundwater as a supply source.

3.4.3 Saline Water Intrusion Saline water can slowly degrade a groundwater basin and ultimately render all or part of a basin unusable.

The concentration of minerals in water is also referred to as total dissolved solids (TDS). The dissolved

minerals are classified as inorganic salts, thus the term “salinity” is another way to describe mineral

concentration. Several sources can contribute to increased salinity in groundwater. In addition to sea

water intrusion, saline degradation of groundwater can be caused by use and re-use of the water supply;

lateral or upward migration of saline water; downward seepage of sewage and industrial wastes;

downward seepage of mineralized surface water from streams, lakes and lagoons; and interzonal or

interaquifer migration of saline water.

Salt accumulation in surface water and groundwater in the Central Valley is a natural process inherent to

lands with semi-arid to arid climates, enclosed basins, or reduced or impeded drainage. Salt accumulation

in surface water and groundwater can impact and eventually eliminate most beneficial uses. Salt

accumulation can be exacerbated by a wide variety of human activities including irrigation; importation

of surface water; application of fertilizer (including manure and biosolids) and pesticides; land disposal of

wastes including those from food processing facilities, wineries and municipal wastewater treatment

plants; discharge of urban storm water runoff; and use of recycled wastewater.

Control of saline water intrusion occurs primarily at the state level through the State Water Resources

Control Board and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.

3.4.4 Migration of Contaminated Groundwater Groundwater contamination originates from a number of sources or activities such as leaking tanks

discharging petroleum products or solvents, or the application of pesticides and fertilizers. Effective

control and clean-up of contaminated groundwater requires a coordinated effort between all regulatory

agencies involved, source control, understanding of the hydrogeology and delineation of the

contamination.

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Agencies with a role to play in mitigating groundwater contamination include the Kings and Tulare

County Environmental Health Departments, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, California

Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The degree to which

each agency participates depends on the nature and magnitude of the problem.

3.4.5 Well Construction Policies The County of Tulare, Kings County and City of Visalia have adopted Well Ordinances that specify water

well construction, deepening and reconstruction standards within each agencies’ respective jurisdiction.

In all the ordinances, reference is made to State of California, Department of Water Resources Bulletin’s

74-81 and 74-90 as that agency’s adopted water well standard or supplementary to their established

standard. The ordinances have provisions that require permits for well construction, deepening and

reconstruction, with oversight provided by the agencies’ health or building departments.

3.5 Sustainability Maintaining the ability to use the underlying aquifer without incurring depletion or permanent damage is

one of the Plan’s main objectives. The sustainability of the groundwater supply for all beneficial uses is of

critical importance to the region’s economic, social and environmental well-being. California Water Code

§ 10753.8 authorizes the District to include components in its Plan to implement measures that progress

toward attaining a sustainable groundwater resource. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the District reserves

the right to decide whether or not it will be involved in each of the activities authorized by the

aforementioned statute. Groundwater replenishment, overdraft mitigation and conjunctive use have been

identified by the Plan as fundamental elements in attaining groundwater sustainability.

3.5.1 Groundwater Replenishment In any conjunctive use area, groundwater recharge is a critical part of the overall Plan. For many years,

the District has operated and maintained recharge basins throughout the District. They are generally

located in areas of highly permeable soils. One of the District’s ongoing objectives is the location and

acquisition of additional recharge sites. In addition, effective recharge is also obtained through the natural

channels, canals and ditches located within the Plan Area. The reason being that most of the channels are

located within soil zones with high permeability. The District has established and will continue to develop

programs that promote surface water use that result in additional groundwater recharge and reduction in

groundwater pumping.

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3.5.1.1 Distribution of District Owned Water There is a tremendous difference in the aquifer characteristics within the Plan Area. This is evident in

both storage capability and yield. The impact of cyclical droughts is revealed by a greater drop in

groundwater levels for those areas with limited aquifer thickness in comparison to portions of the Plan

Area that are located over a thicker and higher yielding aquifer. The District has surface water sources

derived from appropriated Kaweah River entitlement and temporary Central Valley Project Water supply

contracts (CVP Section 215 Water). When such waters are utilized, they are distributed in a fashion to

maximize the benefits of the resource and effectively recharge groundwater. During critically dry years,

District owned surface water, if available, may need to be directed to the most severely impacted areas.

The distribution of District owned water is at the discretion of and according to the direction given by the

District Board of Directors.

3.5.1.2 Channel Recharge There are over 200 miles of natural channels and many times that amount of manmade channels located

within the Plan Area. One of the primary means of recharging groundwater is accomplished through the

seepage that occurs in these channels during the conveyance of water. The transport of surface water

throughout the Plan Area generally requires that water be diverted from natural channels into ditch

systems. Natural channels are typically located in permeable soils. The effective amounts of channel

recharge vary from year to year and are dependent upon water supplies, which are contingent upon annual

climatic conditions. Channel recharge can also occur through programs, promulgated by the Plan, that use

various sources of surface water to supply either conveyance losses for supplement of irrigation deliveries

or that are delivered and retained in the channels solely for recharge.

The Plan participants will continue to use available surface waters to meet demands, which in turn

replenish the aquifers by sinking those waters through distribution system seepage. The District will

actively seek the cooperation of other government and water entities in the development of programs that

promote channel recharge through water conveyance. When feasible, the District will consider delivery of

water for channel recharge within the Plan Area. All such deliveries of recharge water shall be at the

discretion of the District Board of Directors. The District will endeavor to evaluate and utilize recharge

from natural channels, when appropriate. Natural channels with good recharge capabilities will be used as

groundwater recharge facilities to receive recharge water.

3.5.1.3 Basin Recharge Surface water that is conveyed into recharge facilities for the purpose of having such water infiltrate into

the aquifer is classified as basin recharge. This type of recharge can be accomplished in a variety of

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different ways. Basin recharge most commonly occurs during non-irrigation periods when water is

released from Terminus Reservoir for flood control purposes. These flows are conveyed throughout the

District, distributed in conveyance systems and delivered to recharge basins. The primary purpose of this

activity is flood control with a simultaneous benefit of groundwater recharge. Other occurrences of basin

recharge consist of programs, promulgated by the Plan, that use various sources of surface water

delivered to recharge facilities.

Plan participants will continue to use available surface waters to replenish the aquifers by sinking those

waters through recharge basins. The District will actively seek the cooperation of other government and

water entities in the development of programs that promote basin recharge through utilization of existing

facilities and the creation of new facilities. When feasible, the District will consider delivery of water for

basin recharge within the Plan Area. All such deliveries of recharge water shall be at the discretion of the

District Board of Directors.

3.5.1.4 In-Lieu Recharge Another method of recharge occurs when additional surface water supplies are acquired and used to

satisfy irrigation demands. These additional supplies proportionately reduce the amount of irrigation

demand on groundwater. Thereby, surface water is used in-lieu of groundwater, allowing aquifers the

ability to recover through a reduction in demand during irrigation cycles. This type of recharge is

considered highly effective because groundwater demand is reduced while at the same time additional

recharge is taking place from the delivery channels.

The Plan will continue to promote the acquisition of additional water supplies in order to maximize the

amount of surface water available in the promulgation of in-lieu recharge. The District will actively seek

the cooperation of other government and water entities in the development of programs that promote in-

lieu recharge through the provision of additional water supplies. When feasible, the District will consider

delivery of water for in-lieu recharge within the Plan Area. All such deliveries of recharge water shall be

at the discretion of the District Board of Directors. The District will endeavor to evaluate and utilize in-

lieu recharge, when appropriate.

3.5.1.5 Construction and Operation of Facilities Presently there are more than forty (40) groundwater recharge basins located within the Plan Area. Most

of these basins were constructed and are operated by the District. Additionally, there are Facilities Use

Agreements in place between the District and most of the irrigation water entities within the Plan. These

agreements grant the District the right to use and operate those companies’ facilities for multiple

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purposes, including the sinking (recharge) of water. The combination of recharge basins and access to

conveyance facilities enables the District to capture available water for replenishment to the aquifer

throughout the District. The District, in its sole discretion, shall determine which sinking basin(s), natural

channel(s), canal(s) or ditch(es) shall be used to sink any water which the District has available for such

purpose.

One of the District’s objectives, which is integral to the Plan, is the expansion and improvement to the

system of facilities that are used in the recharge of groundwater. New developments include cooperative

programs that are progressing toward the construction of multi-functional facilities. These programs are

expected to result in facilities that will provide composite solutions to such issues as urban storm water

runoff, environmental enhancement and groundwater replenishment. The District will actively seek

cooperation with other government and water entities in the acquisition and construction of facilities for

groundwater replenishment.

3.5.2 Overdraft Mitigation Since the early 1950’s, the District has observed declining groundwater levels and the Kaweah Basin has

been identified by the California Department of Water Resources as a basin subject to critical conditions

of overdraft.3 Critical conditions of overdraft are defined as a groundwater basin in which continuation of

present practices would probably result in significant adverse overdraft-related environmental, social or

economic impacts. Throughout the years the District has accomplished various studies that examined

groundwater supplies. The most recent study was completed at the end of 2003. The “Water Resources

Investigation of the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District” once again confirmed the Basin was in a

state of overdraft. The study was a comprehensive review of all the elements required to determine safe

yield for the aquifers within the District. The final conclusion was that annual groundwater supplies were

insufficient for water demands not met by surface water in the range of 20,000 to 36,000 acre-feet

annually. The Plan will consider certain actions that will help alleviate the ongoing strain on the Basin

aquifers. These actions are considered to be of great value in mitigating the existing overdraft of

groundwater.

3.5.2.1 Water Conservation Groundwater overdraft exists mainly because water demands exceed supply, with the difference taken

from groundwater. Reducing demands through the most efficient usage of water is considered a viable

approach to assist in mitigating overdraft. Water conservation efforts will be encouraged throughout the

3 California Department of Water Resources, Bulletin 118-80: Ground Water Basins in California, A Report to the Legislature in Response to Water Code Section 12924 (January 1980)

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Plan Area for agricultural, industrial and residential users. Existing and new irrigation methods, reuse of

industrial water and domestic water saving devices are and will be encouraged.

District's policies and procedures promote the beneficial use of water. The District will continue to

promote policies that enhance water conservation policies. The District Board of Directors has the

authority to adopt water conservation and water regulation policies for the District and, pursuant to its

Groundwater Management Plan, the Plan Area. If a local public agency adopts and enforces a water

conservation plan within its boundaries, such a plan is encouraged to the extent it is not inconsistent with

the District's Plan.

3.5.2.2 No Exportation of Groundwater The Plan recognizes the importance of applying groundwater to lands within the Plan Area.

Hydrogeologic conditions are such that equilibrium cannot be achieved or maintained if groundwater

supplies are withdrawn and exported from the area. Since the District is located within an overdrafted

basin, it is prudent to utilize all groundwater resources within the Plan Area. The District will take all

appropriate action to prevent the exportation of water from the Plan Area.

A position has been adopted in the Plan that there shall be no exportation of groundwater that results in

any additional net loss to the Plan Area's total available water supplies. The District Board of Directors

has the authority to institute any measures proposed to prevent such loss.

3.5.2.3 Reduction in Groundwater Outflow Groundwater within the Basin is not static, but travels vertically and horizontally due to a range of

hydrogeological factors. The direction and quantity of groundwater flow is susceptible to changes that

occur to the hydraulic gradient. Groundwater level measurements taken twice a year within the District

will be used to identify the direction and quantity of groundwater flow. Typically, this outflow has been

to the west and southwest. Groundwater outflow has historically been a naturally occurring condition

within the Plan Area. The District will continue its efforts to monitor the amounts of such groundwater

outflow annually. Monitoring will be used to assess changes to groundwater outflow resulting from

influences outside the Plan Area.

3.5.2.4 Additional Water Supply and Storage As previously noted, groundwater overdraft is the result of inadequate water supplies. One of the most

effective means to overcome this shortfall is acquiring additional supplies of water. These supplies can be

obtained from external water sources or be produced as a result of additional storage. Development of

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additional water supply and storage is a crucial element in the Plan’s efforts to mitigate groundwater

overdraft.

A supplemental source of surface water necessary to conduct extensive programs is normally available in

wet years when floodwaters are available on the Kaweah River or additional water supplies are available

from other sources. The District has historically made beneficial use of floodwaters and excess waters for

recharging groundwater supplies and will continue to do so in the future. Further, the District will

continue to seek opportunities to purchase and import water into the District for groundwater recharge

purposes.

Additional water supplies would enhance the local groundwater. Present political and environmental

realities discourage developing additional water supplies by building dams and large water storage

projects. Yet through the cooperative efforts of Plan participants, the District was able to promote an

enlargement project for Lake Kaweah that provides over 42,000 acre-feet of additional storage in

Terminus Reservoir. The enlargement project took the United States Army Corps of Engineers over 20

years from the initial study until completion. Water was first stored to the new gross pool elevation in

2005. The District will continue to pursue feasible efforts to secure additional water supply and storage

that will be beneficial to the Plan Area.

3.5.2.5 Pumping Restrictions The progress of those measures taken in mitigating groundwater overdraft will require ongoing evaluation

as to their effectiveness. Upon a determination that the measures are not accomplishing desired results,

restriction of groundwater pumping could be considered. Pumping restrictions could reduce the amount of

groundwater use. Restricting groundwater pumping is highly controversial and would currently be

considered as the last alternative to be implemented in mitigating groundwater overdraft.

Implementation of this step could have severe implications to a local economy that relies on unrestricted

access to groundwater. Initially, any program requiring pumping restrictions would be voluntary rather

than mandatory. From a practical standpoint, when restrictions on urban groundwater water supplies are

implemented, mandatory agricultural pumping restrictions would be considered.

Only under special circumstances would pumping restrictions be imposed. The District Board of

Directors will not impose such restrictions until consulting with local agencies and holding a mandatory

public hearing at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of such restrictions. The District Board of

Directors could impose such action only by resolution.

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3.5.3 Conjunctive Use Conjunctive use is defined as the coordinated and planned management of both surface and groundwater

resources in order to maximize the efficient use of the resource. The District began conjunctive use

activities in the 1930’s, starting with the construction of groundwater recharge basins for the capture of

available Kaweah River water. Facilities Use Agreements accompanied basin development enabling the

District to convey and sink water throughout the delta of the Kaweah River. After the completion of

Terminus Dam in 1962, conjunctive use was increased as a result of the ability to annually store and

regulate river flows.

Conjunctive use within the Plan Area takes place through the distribution of surface water for irrigation

and groundwater recharge, with groundwater being used when and where surface waters are unable to

fully meet demands, either in time or area. Since the early 1970’s, water entities have worked together

through a formal association to use available water to its greatest benefit. The Plan will continue to foster

and facilitate conjunctive use with an objective toward mitigating groundwater overdraft conditions.

3.6 Stakeholder Involvement The management of groundwater resources is based upon serving the public interest in a responsible

manner. The Plan fulfills this purpose through the involvement of entities with a permanent stake in the

availability of the groundwater source. These stakeholder groups consist of various water entities like

ditch companies, irrigation districts, water districts and urban water service purveyors. Local government

agencies are also included as Plan stakeholders. Interactive participation by stakeholders in the review

and planning process is a fundamental element in carrying out the Plan’s purpose. The Plan offers a forum

for stakeholders through the following elements.

3.6.1 Memorandum of Understanding The Plan officially recognizes stakeholders through the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding

(MOU) between the District and the interested entity. The purpose of the MOU is to document the

interests and responsibilities of participants in the adoption and implementation of the Plan. The MOU

also promotes the sharing of information, the development of a course of action and the resolving of

differences that may arise regarding the Plan. Since the Plan’s inception in 1995, the number of

stakeholders has regularly grown to the present number of thirteen (13). It is foreseen that stakeholder

involvement will increase with time. The District will continue to pursue new stakeholder involvement

and shall endeavor to enter into an agreement with other local agencies in the form of a Memorandum of

Understanding in compliance with California Water Code § 10750.8. A sample of one form of

Memorandum of Understanding is included in Appendix “B”.

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One of the initial Plan participants was Tulare Irrigation District (TID), who adopted a groundwater

management program in accordance with AB 255 in 1992, the first agency in the state to adopt such a

program and plan. In 1996, the District and TID executed a MOU obligating both districts to coordinate

their respective plan efforts and groundwater management activities within areas of overlap. It is the

District’s understanding that TID intends to update and amend its plan in accordance with AB 3030

provisions and as may be modified by other state legislation.

3.6.2 Advisory Committee The Advisory Committee offers one of the primary means that stakeholders are given to participate in the

Plan. This committee is open to stakeholders that have been recognized as a Plan participant through a

MOU. The Advisory Committee helps guide the development and implementation of the Plan and

provides a forum for resolution of controversial issues. Meetings are held annually, at a minimum, for the

purpose of review and discussion of past, present and future Plan activities.

3.6.3 Relationships with Other Agencies The Plan acknowledges that there are interests in the groundwater resource that reach beyond the area

covered by the Plan. State and Federal agencies’ participation in managing groundwater is an important

element to the Plan. The development and enhancement of relationships with other agencies benefits the

Plan through the exchange of information and resources that progress toward a better understanding and

management of groundwater.

Such agencies not only have regulations that influence the Plan, but extend opportunities by sharing

information, providing relevant programs and allocating funds that can be used for programs and projects

within the Plan. The Plan has historically tapped into these valuable sources and it is expected to continue

to do so in the future. California Water Code § 10753.8 authorizes the District to include components in

its groundwater management plan for the development of relationships with state and federal agencies.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the District reserves the right to decide whether or not it will be involved

in each of the activities authorized by the aforementioned statute.

3.7 Planning and Management The establishment of an organized structure is necessary in order for the Plan to fulfill its intended

purpose. The Plan is structured to function in such a way that numerous elements relating to or

influencing groundwater conditions are brought together and managed for meeting Plan objectives. The

planning process also plays an important role in developing such objectives and providing direction in

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accomplishing goals. Both the process of planning and management combined afford the opportunity to

produce the most beneficial use of the groundwater resource.

3.7.1 Land Use Planning The District has long-standing relationships with both city and county agencies within the Plan Area that

oversee land use and zoning activities. The connection between land use and the groundwater resource is

reflected in the differing water demands related to land classifications and the need to supply those

demands from groundwater. Land use planning coordination enables the Plan to participate in decisions

that will affect future groundwater conditions. Coordination also supplies the Plan participants with

information pertinent to forming programs that could address forecasted changes to groundwater.

Involvement with land use planning essentially affords the Plan the opportunity to be proactive instead of

reactive.

California Water Code § 10753.8 authorizes the District to include components in its groundwater

management plan for the review of land use plans and coordination with land use planning agencies to

assess activities that create a reasonable risk for groundwater contamination. Notwithstanding the

foregoing, the District reserves the right to decide whether or not it will be involved in each of the

activities authorized by the aforementioned statue.

3.7.2 Groundwater Model An important planning and management tool that was recently implemented is the District’s numerical

groundwater flow model. In 2005, utilizing a cooperative grant from the State Department of Water

Resources, the District developed a groundwater model to calculate future changes in groundwater

conditions that could occur based upon major influences such as changes in population growth, water

supply and distribution. The model is able to calculate quantifiable changes to groundwater levels and

flow conditions. This analytical tool can be applied to assess how existing and proposed groundwater

management actions, changes in cultural practices or changes in hydrologic conditions may influence

groundwater sustainability. The knowledge gained from the model will be applied in the development and

evaluation of new and existing programs. The expected result will be the progression of programs and

policies that will efficiently use available resources to affect the most beneficial influence to groundwater

supplies.

3.7.3 Groundwater Reports Adequate information is a vital element of planning and management of the groundwater resource. The

Plan will produce, at a minimum, annual reports summarizing groundwater basin conditions and

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management activities. These annual reports will include the following presentations as they pertain to the

Plan.

ü Summary of monitoring results, including a discussion of historical trends

ü Summary of management actions during the period covered by the report

ü A discussion, supported by monitoring results, of whether management actions are achieving progress in meeting management objectives

ü Summary of proposed management actions for the future

ü Summary of any plan component changes, including addition or modification of management objectives, during the period covered by the report

ü Summary of actions taken to coordinate with other water management and land use agencies, and other government agencies

3.7.4 Plan Re-evaluation An essential task in determining the value of management activities and goals is a periodic re-evaluation

of the entire Plan. The effectiveness of the Plan is a reflection of the success and failure of measures taken

in attempts to change or maintain groundwater conditions. Reviews will be focused on identifying

potential changes to the Plan that could be beneficial to the groundwater resource. Additionally, assessing

changing conditions in the Basin could warrant modifications of management objectives. Periodic Plan

re-evaluation will occur at an interval of not more than five years apart. Separate from entire re-

evaluations will be adjustments to Plan components on an ongoing basis, if necessary. The re-evaluations

will focus on determining if actions under the Plan are meeting management objectives and if the

management objectives are achieving the goal of sustaining the resource.

3.7.5 Dispute Resolution The Plan acknowledges that controversial issues could arise concerning the groundwater resource.

Stakeholders are encouraged to work through the Plan in addressing and resolving differences. When this

process proves insufficient, the District has an applicable policy in place for dispute resolution. The Plan

hereby adopts the District’s “Alternative Dispute Resolution Policy”, as included in Appendix “C” or the

most current version of the policy.

3.7.6 Program Funding and Fees Plan activities are funded through various sources relevant to the specific program. The District alone

regularly performs recharge programs with capital budgeted for that purpose. The District also funds

multiple other groundwater programs, such as facility development, operation and maintenance.

Respectively, plan participants support their own individual programs from revenue derived from that

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agency’s budget. The Plan additionally fosters and supports multi-agency programs, where participants

cooperatively combine funds and resources toward common objectives in a regional approach.

Future activities required to fully implement the Plan may require additional funding sources.

Implementing legislation related to AB 3030 allows for the levying of groundwater assessments or fees

under certain circumstances and according to specific procedures. Prior to instituting a groundwater

assessment or fee structure, the District must hold an election on whether or not to proceed with the

enactment of the assessments. A majority of the votes cast at the election is required to implement an

additional funding assessment.

The District intends to exercise all of the authority given to a water replenishment district in California

Water Code § 60220 through 60232 as may be necessary for the District to accomplish its purposes and

goals for the Plan. A water replenishment district has the authority to fix and collect fees and assessments

within the Plan Area for groundwater management in accordance with California Water Code § 60300

through 60352. The District reserves the right to decide whether or not it will be involved in this activity

authorized by the aforementioned statutes.

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SECTION 4: RULES AND REGULATIONS The below presented items in this section are the Groundwater Management Plan rules and regulations to

implement the Groundwater Management Plan of Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District adopted

August 1, 1995 and updated on November 7, 2006.

1. Water Monitoring: At least twice per year, the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District (hereinafter the "District") shall provide staff at its expense to monitor and measure the depth to standing groundwater at well sites within the Plan Area. In its sole discretion, District shall select the number and location of well sites. District shall prepare charts as required by the Plan.

2. Channel Recharge: District shall endeavor to evaluate and utilize recharge from natural channels when appropriate, as determined by District. Natural channels with good recharge capabilities will be evaluated for potential use as groundwater recharge facilities to receive recharge water.

3. Basin Recharge: When feasible, District will consider delivery of water to recharge basins within the Plan Area. All such deliveries of recharge water shall be at the discretion of District Board of Directors ("District Board of Directors").

4. Water Conservation: District's policies and procedures promote the beneficial use of water. The District shall continue to promote policies that enhance water conservation policies. The District Board of Directors has the authority to adopt water conservation and water regulation policies for the District and, pursuant to its groundwater management plan, the Plan Area. If a local public agency adopts and enforces a water conservation plan within its boundaries, such Plan shall be effective to the extent it is not inconsistent with the District's Plan.

5. No Exportation of Groundwater: After the adoption hereof, there shall be no exportation of groundwater that results in any additional net loss to the Plan Area's total available water supplies. The District Board of Directors has the authority to institute any measures proposed to prevent such net loss.

6. Intra-district Water Transfers: Water transfers within the Plan Area are permissible and subject to the administration of the Kaweah River Watermaster under the direction of the Kaweah & St. Johns Rivers Association Board of Directors.

7. Inter-district Water Transfers: District shall endeavor to promote advantageous water transfers (water transfers that increase the water supply available within the Plan Area). The District Board of Directors has the authority to initiate such transfers.

8. Reduction in Groundwater Outflow: The District may monitor the outflow of groundwater from the Plan Area. Before the District takes any steps to prevent such outflow, such steps shall be approved by the District Board of Directors.

9. Pumping Restrictions: Only under special circumstances would pumping restrictions be imposed. The District Board of Directors shall not impose such restrictions until after consulting with local agencies and holding a mandatory public hearing at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of such restrictions. The District Board of Directors could impose such action only by resolution.

10. Additional Water Supply and Storage: The District will continue to actively review and evaluate potential new supplies of water and new storage facilities for water which may benefit the Plan Area. To the extent the District Board of Directors determines that it has the capability to do so, the District will fund projects which increase the water supply and water storage which benefit the Plan Area. The District's involvement in any project to increase water supply or water storage shall be approved by the Board of the Directors of the District.

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11. Redistribution of Surface Water: The District, in its sole discretion, shall determine which sinking basin(s), natural channel(s), canal(s) or ditch(es) shall be used to sink any water which the District has available for such purpose.

GLOSSARY

A acre-foot (af) The volume of water necessary to cover one acre to a depth of one foot; equal to 43,560

cubic feet or 325,851 gallons.

alluvial Of or pertaining to or composed of alluvium.

alluvium A general term for clay, silt, sand, gravel, or similar unconsolidated detrital material, deposited during comparatively recent geologic time by a stream or other body of running water, as a sorted or semi sorted sediment in the bed of the stream or on it’s floodplain or delta, as a cone or fan at the base of a mountain slope.

aquitard A confining bed and/or formation composed of rock or sediment that retards but does not prevent the flow of water to or from an adjacent aquifer. It does not readily yield water to wells or springs, but stores ground water.

aquifer A body of rock or sediment that is sufficiently porous and permeable to store, transmit, and yield significant or economic quantities of groundwater to wells and springs.

artificial recharge The addition of water to a groundwater reservoir by human activity, such as putting surface water into dug or constructed spreading basins or injecting water through wells.

average annual runoff The average value of total annual runoff volume calculated for a selected period of record, at a specified location, such as a dam or stream gage.

average year water demand Demand for water under average hydrologic conditions for a defined level of development.

B basin management objectives (BMOs) See management objectives

beneficial use One of many ways that water can be used either directly by people or for their overall benefit. The State Water Resources Control Board recognizes 23 types of beneficial use with water quality criteria for those uses established by the Regional Water Quality Control Boards.

C confined aquifer An aquifer that is bounded above and below by formations of distinctly lower

permeability than that of the aquifer itself. An aquifer containing confined ground water. See artesian aquifer.

conjunctive use The coordinated and planned management of both surface and groundwater resources in order to maximize the efficient use of the resource; that is, the planned and managed operation of a groundwater basin and a surface water storage system combined through a coordinated conveyance infrastructure. Water is stored in the groundwater basin for later and planned use by intentionally recharging the basin during years of above-average surface water supply.

contaminant Any substance or property preventing the use or reducing the usability of the water for ordinary purposes such as drinking, preparing food, bathing washing, recreation, and cooling. Any solute or cause of change in physical properties that renders water unfit for a given use. (Generally considered synonymous with pollutant).

critical conditions of overdraft A groundwater basin in which continuation of present practices would probably result in significant adverse overdraft-related environmental, social, or economic impacts. The definition was created after an extensive public input process during the development of the Bulletin 118-80 report.

D dairy and related water demand The use of water from those facilities where herds of cows are

managed for the production of milk.

deep percolation Percolation of water through the ground and beyond the lower limit of the root zone of plants into groundwater.

drought condition Hydrologic conditions during a defined period when rainfall and runoff are much less than average.

E electrical conductivity (EC) The measure of the ability of water to conduct an electrical current, the

magnitude of which depends on the dissolved mineral content of the water.

environmental water Water serving environmental purposes, including instream fishery flow needs, wild and scenic river flows, water needs of fresh-water wetlands, and Bay-Delta requirements.

evapotranspiration (ET) The quantity of water transpired (given off), retained in plant tissues, and evaporated from plant tissues and surrounding soil surfaces.

G groundwater basin An alluvial aquifer or a stacked series of alluvial aquifers with reasonably well-

defined boundaries in a lateral direction and having a definable bottom.

groundwater budget A numerical accounting, the groundwater equation, of the recharge, discharge and changes in storage of an aquifer, part of an aquifer, or a system of aquifers.

groundwater in storage The quantity of water in the zone of saturation.

groundwater management The planned and coordinated management of a groundwater basin or portion of a groundwater basin with a goal of long-term sustainability of the resource.

groundwater management plan A comprehensive written document developed for the purpose of groundwater management and adopted by an agency having appropriate legal or statutory authority.

groundwater monitoring network A series of monitoring wells at appropriate locations and depths to effectively cover the area of interest. Scale and density of monitoring wells is dependent on the size and complexity of the area of interest, and the objective of monitoring.

groundwater overdraft The condition of a groundwater basin in which the amount of water withdrawn by pumping exceeds the amount of water that recharges the basin over a period of years during which water supply conditions approximate average conditions.

groundwater recharge facility A structure that serves to conduct surface water into the ground for the purpose of replenishing groundwater. The facility may consist of dug or constructed spreading basins, pits, ditches, furrows, streambed modifications, or injection wells.

groundwater recharge The natural or intentional infiltration of surface water into the zone of saturation.

groundwater storage capacity volume of void space that can be occupied by water in a given volume of a formation, aquifer, or groundwater basin.

groundwater subbasin A subdivision of a groundwater basin created by dividing the basin using geologic and hydrologic conditions or institutional boundaries.

groundwater table The upper surface of the zone of saturation in an unconfined aquifer.

groundwater Water that occurs beneath the land surface and fills the pore spaces of the alluvium, soil, or rock formation in which it is situated. It excludes soil moisture, which refers to water held by capillary action in the upper unsaturated zones of soil or rock.

H hydraulic conductivity A measure of the capacity for a rock or soil to transmit water; generally has the

units of feet/day or cm/sec.

hydrograph A graph that shows some property of groundwater or surface water as a function of time.

hydrologic region A study area consisting of multiple planning subareas. California is divided into 10 hydrologic regions.

I infiltration The flow of water downward from the land surface into and through the upper soil layers.

in-lieu recharge The practice of providing surplus surface water to historic groundwater users, thereby leaving groundwater in storage for later use.

L land subsidence The lowering of the natural land surface due to groundwater (or oil and gas) extraction.

lithologic log A record of the lithology of the soils, sediments and/or rock encountered in a borehole from the surface to the bottom.

lithology The description of rocks, especially in hand specimen and in outcrop, on the basis of such characteristics as color, mineralogic composition, and grain size.

losing stream A stream or reach of a stream that is losing water by seepage into the ground.

M management objectives Objectives that set forth the priorities and measurable criteria of local

groundwater basin management.

N natural recharge Natural replenishment of an aquifer generally from snowmelt and runoff; through

seepage from the surface.

O operational yield An optimal amount of groundwater that should be withdrawn from an aquifer system

or a groundwater basin each year. It is a dynamic quantity that must be determined from a set of alternative groundwater management decisions subject to goals, objectives, and constraints of the management plan.

ordinance A law set forth by a governmental authority.

P perched groundwater Groundwater supported by a zone of material of low permeability located above

an underlying main body of groundwater.

perennial yield The maximum quantity of water that can be annually withdrawn from a groundwater basin over a long period of time (during which water supply conditions approximate average conditions) without developing an overdraft condition.

perforated interval The depth interval where slotted casing or screen is placed in a well to allow entry of water from the aquifer formation.

permeability The capability of soil or other geologic formations to transmit water. See hydraulic conductivity.

point source A specific site from which wastewater or polluted water is discharged into a water body.

public water system demand The use of water from small, regulated public water systems. Typical facility types included mutual water companies, schools, mobile home parks, golf courses, county facilities, motels, livestock sales yards, and miscellaneous industries such as nurseries, food processing facilities, packing houses, etc.

R recharge Water added to an aquifer or the process of adding water to an aquifer. Ground water recharge

occurs either naturally as the net gain from precipitation, or artificially as the result of human influence. See artificial recharge.

recharge basin A surface facility constructed to infiltrate surface water into a groundwater basin.

runoff The volume of surface flow from an area.

rural domestic water demand The use of water from residences not served by a municipal connection, mutual water company, or other small public water system.

S safe yield The maximum quantity of water that can be continuously withdrawn from a groundwater basin without adverse effect.

salinity Generally, the concentration of mineral salts dissolved in water. Salinity may be expressed in terms of a concentration or as electrical conductivity. When describing salinity influenced by seawater, salinity often refers to the concentration of chlorides in the water. See also total dissolved solids.

saline intrusion The movement of salt water into a body of fresh water. It can occur in either surface water or groundwater bodies.

seepage The gradual movement of water into, through or from a porous medium. Also the loss of water by infiltration into the soil from a canal, ditches, laterals, watercourse, reservoir, storage facilities, or other body of water, or from a field.

semi-confined aquifer A semi-confined aquifer or leaky confined aquifer is an aquifer that has aquitards either above or below that allow water to leak into or out of the aquifer depending on the direction of the hydraulic gradient.

specific yield the ratio of the volume of water a rock or soil will yield by gravity drainage to the total volume of the rock or soil.

stakeholders Any individual or organization that has an interest in water management activities. In the broadest sense, everyone is a stakeholder, because water sustains life. Water resources stakeholders are typically those involved in protecting, supplying, or using water for any purpose, including environmental uses, who have a vested interest in a water-related decision.

surface supply Water supply obtained from streams, lakes, and reservoirs.

sustainability Of, relating to, or being a method of using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.

T total dissolved solids (TDS) a quantitative measure of the residual minerals dissolved in water that

remain after evaporation of a solution. Usually expressed in milligrams per liter. See also salinity

transmissivity The product of hydraulic conductivity and aquifer thickness; a measure of a volume of water to move through an aquifer. Transmissivity generally has the units of ft2/day or gallons per day/foot. Transmissivity is a measure of the subsurface’s ability to transmit groundwater horizontally through its entire saturated thickness and affects the potential yield of wells.

U unconfined aquifer An aquifer which is not bounded on top by an aquitard. The upper surface of an

unconfined aquifer is the water table.

unsaturated zone The zone below the land surface in which pore space contains both water and air.

urban water demand The use of water from incorporated cities (Visalia, Tulare, Farmersville, Exeter, Ivanhoe) and in the unincorporated areas served by a municipal water purveyor.

urban water management plan (UWMP) An UWMP is required for all urban water suppliers having more than 3,000 connections or supplying more than 3,000 acre-feet of water. The plans include discussions on water supply, supply reliability, water use, water conservation, and water shortage contingency and serve to assist urban water suppliers with their long-term water resources planning to ensure adequate water supplies for existing and future demands.

usable storage capacity The quantity of groundwater of acceptable quality that can be economically withdrawn from storage.

W water quality Description of the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, usually in

regard to its suitability for a particular purpose or use.

water year A continuous 12-month period for which hydrologic records are compiled and summarized. Different agencies may use different calendar periods for their water years.

watershed The land area from which water drains into a stream, river, or reservoir.

well completion report A required, confidential report detailing the construction, alteration, abandonment, or destruction of any water well, cathodic protection well, groundwater monitoring well, or geothermal heat exchange well. The reports were called Water Well Drillers’ Report prior to 1991 and are often referred to as “driller’s logs.” The report requirements are described in the California Water Code commencing with Section 13750.

APPENDIX A KAWEAH & ST. JOHNS RIVERS ASSOCIATION

TRANSFER POLICY

- A.1 -

KAWEAH & ST. JOHNS RIVERS ASSOCIATION STATEMENT OF POLICY RE WATER TRANSFERS AND EXCHANGES

(Adopted September 8, 1994)

The purpose of this policy statement is to confirm the intent of the Association to retain waters of the Kaweah River and its tributaries in the Kaweah River hydrologic surface basin ("Basin") for beneficial use therein. The boundaries of the Basin are set forth on Exhibit A, appended hereto and made a part of this statement.

Each of the Member Units shall retain the right and privilege alter, amend, change or modify their respective service areas, without notice to or consent of the Association, provided that the expanded service area of the Member Unit does not extend beyond the boundary of the historical Basin. Should a Member Unit make such an adjustment to its service area, it shall so notify the Watermaster. Documentation shall be provided by the Member Unit, to the Watermaster, adequate to demonstrate that the expanded service area is within the Basin.

Water to which Member Units are entitled shall be utilized only within said Basin boundary except as provided hereinafter for periods of flood release. Transfer(s) of entitlement waters shall be allowed within the Basin upon proper notification to the Watermaster of such impending transfer(s). The Watermaster shall provide notification to the Board of Directors of any such transfer(s). Approval of the Board of Directors shall not be required for any transfer within the Basin. It is acknowledged that under certain flood release conditions, after irrigation and spreading demands have been fully satisfied and the capability of the Basin to retain flood release water has been fulfilled, flood water flows naturally to the historic Tulare Bed which lies within the Basin.

Member Units may enter into water exchange agreements which call for no net loss to the Basin of to any in-Basin water rights holder, subject to administrative rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors.

Transfer(s) of riparian waters or waters resulting from settlement of riparian entitlement negotiations shall not be allowed. Transfers of water received under contracts for water made available through the State Water Project, the Federal Central Valley Project or the Cross Valley Canal Exchange Program shall not be subject to these provisions.

This policy shall be implemented by the following additions to the rules and regulations effective upon adoption of the policy by the Board of Directors:

Transfers of water shall be allowed between entities for use within the Basin. Notice of an impending transfer shall be provided to the Watermaster in writing.

Exchanges of water out of the Basin shall be subject to approval of the Board of Directors. Such exchanges shall only be considered when the recipient of the water can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors, that a hardship situation exists. The required information associated with the documentation of the hardship situation shall be established by the Board of Directors on a case by case basis.

- A.2 -

An out-of-Basin water exchange agreement may be entered into by a member unit subject to approval of the Association Board of Directors. Any exchange approved by the Board of Directors shall be conditioned on the full execution of an exchange/return agreement submitted with the petition for approval. Such agreement(s) shall call for no net loss to the Basin or to any in-Basin water rights holder.

To this end, exchanges shall call for channel loss water to be withheld from the total quantity of water available for exchange in the year of the exchange.

The total quantity of water exchanged shall be returned to the Basin for further diversion to a headgate designated by the exchanger subject to coordination with the Watermaster.

To compliment the Terminus and in-Basin storage capabilities available to members of the Association, temporary out-of-Basin storage historically has been permitted on a case-by-case basis and may be permitted in the future. Authority to grant permission to store out-of-Basin shall reside with the Watermaster, subject to appeal to the Board of Directors. Permission shall be predicated on the ability of the requesting entity to demonstrate the eventual delivery within the Basin of waters temporarily stored out-of-Basin. Following removal from storage, documentation shall be provided that the water, less the normal losses, was delivered within the Basin.

APPROVED BY THE KAWEAH AND ST. JOHNS RIVERS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON SEPTEMBER 8, 1994.

APPENDIX B MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (SAMPLE)

- B.1 -

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN KAWEAH DELTA WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

AND CITY OF TULARE

ARTICLE I - AGREEMENT

The articles and provisions contained herein constitute a bilateral and binding

agreement by and between KAWEAH DELTA WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

(hereinafter the "District") and CITY OF TULARE (hereinafter "Agency").

ARTICLE II - RECOGNITION

The District has developed a Groundwater Management Plan (hereinafter the

"Plan") with input from several local agencies located within the District. It is the intent of

District to allow and encourage such agencies to coordinate efforts and be a part of the

District's Plan by means of a separate Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter the

"MOU") between each agency and District.

ARTICLE III - PURPOSE

It is the purpose of the MOU, entered into willingly, between District and Agency,

to document the interests and responsibilities of both parties in the adoption and

implementation of the Plan. It is also hoped that such MOU will promote and provide a

means to establish an orderly process to share information, develop a course of action

and resolve any misunderstandings or differences that may arise regarding the Plan.

ARTICLE IV - COORDINATE

There shall be an annual coordinating meeting (hereinafter the "Meeting")

between the District and the Agency. District shall give notice to the Agency thirty (30)

days prior to date of the Meeting to discuss the manner in which the Plan is being

implemented and other items related to the Plan. If there are concerns or questions

regarding the Plan, Agency shall transmit its concerns in writing to District seven (7)

days prior to the Meeting.

- B.2 -

ARTICLE V - OBLIGATIONS

The Plan shall be binding on the parties hereto unless superseded by the MOU

or amendment thereto.

ARTICLE VI - AREA OF PLAN.

The Plan shall be effective in all areas within the Agency boundaries. The Plan

shall also be effective in any area annexed to the Agency subsequent to the adoption of

the Plan.

ARTICLE VII - TERM

The initial term of the MOU shall commence on the date hereof and continue for

five (5) years, and shall continue year to year thereafter, unless terminated by written

notice given at least one (1) year prior to such termination.

This Memorandum of Understanding is made and entered into this ___________

day of ____________________, 2004.

KAWEAH DELTA WATER CITY OF TULARE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

By: By:

Title: Title:

By: By:

Title: Title:

APPENDIX C KAWEAH DELTA WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION POLICY

- C.1 -

KAWEAH DELTA WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION POLICY

(Adopted February 3, 2004)

Purpose. The District recognizes that defending or prosecuting lawsuits can be expensive and time-consuming, resulting in a drain on District resources that should be avoided, if reasonably possible. To that end, the District hereby implements this policy to encourage the resolution of disputes, claims and lawsuits through alternative dispute resolution procedures.

Procedures. Whenever the District is named in a lawsuit or receives a written claim or a serious threat of imminent litigation, the District staff shall immediately consult with the District General Counsel regarding the same. Together, the District staff and the District General Counsel shall formulate a recommended response to be considered by the Board of Directors at its next meeting.

Whenever the District becomes aware of any unasserted potential lawsuit, claim or dispute, with a reasonable likelihood of being asserted, against the District, the District staff shall consult with the District's counsel regarding the best method for responding to the same. Possible responses include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Do nothing.

2. A verbal communication from the District or its general counsel.

3. A written communication from the District or its general counsel.

4. An offer to meet and discuss the matter with District personnel.

5. An offer to mediate the matter before a neutral third-party mediator.

6. An offer to arbitrate the matter before the American Arbitration Association.

7. An offer to arbitrate the matter using the rules of Judicial Arbitration found in California statutes.

District staff shall advise the Board of Directors of any unasserted lawsuit, claim or dispute, with a reasonable likelihood of being asserted, including the District's response to the same. The Board of Directors shall be advised whether or not the matter is resolved. If the potential lawsuit, claim or dispute becomes an actual lawsuit, claim or dispute, the response of the District shall be handled as set forth above in the previous paragraphs.

It shall be the practice of the District to encourage mediation of lawsuits, claims or disputes, whenever reasonably practical, in order to resolve such matters. Mediation shall be by a neutral third-party qualified to mediate such matters.

ATTACHMENT 1 – AUTHORIZATION AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

APPENDIX D

2009 RAP Summary and Conditional Approval

September 2009 RAP Cycle

No. 14 - Kaweah River Basin Integrated Regional Water

Management Region

Region Acceptance Process Summary

General Description of Region The Kaweah River Basin Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Region is comprised of

approximately 340,000 acres in the counties of Tulare and Kings. This Region is within the Tulare Lake

Hydrologic Unit. This Region is defined primarily by hydrologic boundaries, except the southern

boundary which is defined by the Tule River IRWM Region. Kaweah River Basin IRWM Region

boundaries follow the watershed boundary formed by in-part by Cottonwood Creek to the north.

However, this creates a small overlap with the Upper Kings Water Forum IRWM Region’s southern

boundary. Also, small islands of non-participation within the proposed Kaweah River Basin Region exist,

such as the City of Exeter.

The Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District (KDWCD) has acted as the lead agency in the

management of water resources available to the Kaweah River Basin, particularly as they have applied

to groundwater resources and flood and storm water control.

Several agencies have executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and include KDWCD, Exeter

Irrigation District, and the City of Lindsay. Several petitions also have been recently submitted to join in

the MOU, including the City of Visalia, the County of Tulare, the Tulare Irrigation District, the City of

Tulare, the Ivanhoe Irrigation District, and the St. Johns Water District. Principal water management

activities undertaken by the cooperating agencies within the Kaweah River Basin have joined together

with multiple agencies for management of pre-1914 water rights, groundwater management, and

development of a formal IRWM Plan. The Kaweah River Basin IRWM Region has a functionally

equivalent plan. This IRWM Region has indicated that there is ongoing coordination and cooperation

with neighboring IRWM Regions, in particular with the Tule River IRWM Region.

Interview Conclusions- Conditional Approval for SBXX1 Funds DWR approves the Kaweah River Basin IRWM Region to allow this Region to complete for planning and

implementation funding from Senate Bill XX1 (Perata, Stats. 2008, Ch. 1), California Water Code §83000-

September 2009 RAP Cycle 2

83002.7. However, for subsequent funding rounds, the Kaweah River Basin and Tule River IRWM

Regions must explore options on how best to structure the regional boundaries in this area. DWR’s

intent is to facilitate future communication and cooperation between the Kaweah River Basin and Tule

River IRWM Regions, to develop a single IRWM Region that fosters integration and cooperation, and

does not result in overlapping and competing planning efforts. Nearby “gap” areas, not covered by the

Kern County, Poso Creek, Tule River, Kaweah River, or Southern Sierra IRWM Regions should also be

considered for inclusion in the IRWM planning effort.

The stated communication and cooperation, region boundary structure, as well as inclusion of “gap”

areas, will be considered when determining future region approval and eligibility for subsequent funding

rounds.

Announcement November 30, 2009

DWR Announces Final Recommendations for the Region Acceptance Process

The Director of the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has approved the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Program Region Acceptance Process (RAP) final recommendations. DWR received 46 RAP proposals. DWR approved 36 regions and conditionally approved 10 regions.

Draft RAP Recommendations were released on September 1, 2009. Three public workshops were held on the draft recommendations (September 8, 2009, Sacramento, September 9, 2009, Los Angeles, and September 10, 2009, Fresno) to solicit public input. Written public comments were accepted until September 22, 2009. DWR received a total of 57 comment letters as well as oral comments during the three workshops. The comments are posted at the following link:

http://www.water.ca.gov/irwm/integregio_publiccomments.cfm

DWR considered the comments and made changes to the final RAP approval materials. The final RAP recommendations and associated materials (review summaries, individual RAP documents, and maps) are posted on the following DWR IRWM Program website:

http://www.water.ca.gov/irwm/integregio_rap2.cfm

ATTACHMENT 1 – AUTHORIZATION AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

APPENDIX E

Draft Kaweah River Basin IRWM Plan Table of Contents for update to the current IRWM Plan

- 1 -

DRAFT

10/19/09

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

KAWEAH RIVER BASIN

Plan Document

Purpose

Cooperating Partners

Acknowledgements

Acronyms

Executive Summary

Chapter 1 – Introduction

1.1 Background and Purpose of the Kaweah Basin Integrated Regional Water

Management Plan

1.1.1 Consistency with State of California Planning Efforts

1.1.2 Legislation and Statutory Requirements

1.2 Development of the Plan

1.2.1 Stakeholder Group

1.2.2 Memorandum of Understanding Group

1.2.3 Coordination with Tule Basin Plan Development

1.2.4 Coordination with Tulare Basin JPA Development

1.2.5 Coordination with Foothill Plan Development

- 2 -

1.3 Governance Structure

1.3.1 Memorandum of Understanding/Cooperative Agreements

1.3.2 Governance Structure Recommendation

1.3.3 Relationship to Tulare Basin Joint Powers Authority Governance Structure

Chapter 2 – Introduction

2.1 Plan Goals

2.2 Regional Goals

2.3 Plan Scope

2.3.1 Water Resource Management Optimization

2.3.2 Evaluation of Water Supplies

2.3.3 Water Quality Protection and Improvement

2.3.4 Flood Control Planning

2.3.5 Planning Process, Public Education and Administration

2.4 Regional Planning Process

2.4.1 AB 303 and Proposition 50 Study Grants

2.4.2 IRWMP’s Relationship to Existing Water Management Plans

2.4.3 Consulting Team

2.4.4 Stakeholder Participation

2.5 Report Organization

Chapter 3 – Description of Study Area

3.1 General Description

3.2 County Study Areas

3.2.1 Valley Floor Area

- 3 -

3.2.2 Foothills Area Interface

3.3 Population

3.4 Topography

3.5 Climate

3.6 Land Use

3.6.1 Valley Floor Land Uses

3.6.2 Foothills and Mountains Land Uses

3.7 Subwatersheds

3.8 Geology

3.9 Groundwater Basin Characteristics

3.10 Ecological Processes and Environmental Resources

3.10.1 Aquatic Sensitive Species

3.10.2 Freshwater Habitats

3.10.3 Areas of Special Biological Significance

3.11 Natural Hazards Requiring Emergency Planning

3.11.1 Severe Storms and Flooding

3.11.2 Earthquakes

3.11.3 Fire

3.11.4 Drought

Chapter 4 – History of Water and Wastewater Management

4.1 Key Water Management Milestones

4.1.1 Terminus Reservoir

4.1.2 Friant Division - CVP

- 4 -

4.1.3 State Water Project

4.2 History of Wastewater Management

4.2.1 Cities

4.2.2 Rural Areas

4.3 History of Integrated Regional Water Resource Management

4.3.1 Interagency Planning and Integrated Water Supply Development

4.3.2 Integrated Management of Resources and Operational Systems

4.3.3 Integrated Management of Emergency Operations

4.3.4 Interagency Adaptive Management Response to Changing Circumstances

Chapter 5 – Responsible Entities, Major Infrastructure and Water Supplies

5.1 Water Service Providers

5.2 Other Water Management Agencies

5.2.1 Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District

5.2.2 County of Tulare

5.2.3 County of Kings

5.2.4 Friant Water Authority

5.3 Wastewater Service Providers

5.3.1 City Wastewater Systems

5.3.2 Rural Wastewater Systems

5.3.3 County-operated Wastewater Systems

5.4 Major Infrastructure

5.4.1 Surface Storage Reservoirs and Associated Distribution Systems

5.4.2 Flood Control Infrastructure

- 5 -

5.4.3 State Water Project Facilities

5.4.4 CVP Facilities

5.4.5 Water Treatment Facilities

5.4.6 Wastewater Treatment

5.5 Water Supplies

5.5.1 Groundwater

5.5.2 Surface Water

5.5.3 Imported Water

5.5.4 Water Conservation

5.5.5 Recycled Water

5.5.6 Banking Programs

5.5.7 Conjunctive Use

5.5.8 Cloud Seeding

5.6 Historical Water Supplies

5.6.1 Agricultural Water Consumption

5.6.2 Urban and Rural Nonagricultural Water Consumption

5.6.3 Summary of Historical Water Uses

5.7 Water Demand Projections

5.8 Comparison of Water Demand and Supply

5.9 Water Resource Impacts of Continued Groundwater Use

Chapter 6 – Water Quality

6.1 Groundwater Quality

6.1.1 Valley Floor Groundwater Quality

- 6 -

6.1.2 Foothills and Mountains Groundwater Quality

6.2 Surface Water Quality

6.2.1 Surface Water Supply Systems

6.2.2 Surface Water Contaminants of Concern

6.3 Impacts of Failing Septic Systems

6.4 Existing County Ordinances

Chapter 7 – Flood Control Planning

7.1 Current Flood Control Programs

7.1.1 Federal Flood Control Program

7.1.2 State Flood Control Program

7.1.3 County Flood Control Program

7.1.4 City Flood Control Programs

7.2 Flooding Problems

Chapter 8 – Key Issues, Plan Objectives, Regional Priorities and Water Management

Strategies

8.1 Key Regionwide and Watershed-specific Issues

8.1.1 Overview

8.1.2 Regionwide Issues

11.1.3 Watershed-specific Issues

8.1.3 Regional Acceptance Process Recomendations

8.1.4 Evaluation of Combining the Kaweah and Tule River Watersheds

8.1.5 Recommend Response to RAP Process Recommendation

8.2 IRWMP Objectives

- 7 -

8.3 Regional Priorities

8.3.1 Short-term Priorities (5 years)

8.3.2 Long-term Priorities (5 to 20 years)

8.4 Water Management Strategies

8.5 Water Management Strategies and their Integration with Objectives and Regional

Priorities

Chapter 9 – Water Resources Management Opportunities

9.1 Valley Floor Water Management Opportunities

9.1.1 Water Supply Augmentation Measures

9.1.2 Water Demand Reduction Measures

9.1.3 Flood Control Projects and Programs

9.2 Foothill Water Management Coordination Opportunities

9.2.1 Surface Water Supply Requirements

9.2.2 Water Supply Augmentation Opportunities

9.2.3 Watershed Management

9.3 Water Quality Improvement Opportunities

9.4 Other Water Management Measures

9.4.1 Land Use Policies

9.4.2 Water Supplies for New Development

9.4.3 Agricultural Water Management Measures

9.4.4 County Systems Infrastructure Improvements

- 8 -

Chapter 10 – Water Resources Management Framework

10.1 Planning Framework

10.1.1 County and City General Plans

10.1.2 National Forest Land Management Plan

10.1.3 Urban Water Management Plans

10.1.4 Groundwater Management Plans

10.1.5 Water Shortage Contingency Plans

10.1.6 Capital Improvement Plans/Master Plans

10.2 Water Management and Monitoring Programs

10.2.1 Storm Water Management Programs

10.2.2 Water Quality Monitoring Programs

10.2.3 Water Quality Improvement Programs

10.2.4 Conservation Programs

10.2.5 Weed Management Programs

10.2.6 Vector Control Programs

10.2.7 Watershed Action Plans

Chapter 11 – Stakeholder Involvement and Coordination

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Cooperating Partners Involvement

11.3 Public Stakeholder Outreach Workshops

11.3.1 Stakeholder Outreach Workshops

11.3.2 Electronic Outreach

11.3.3 Dedicated Web Site

- 9 -

11.3.4 Targeted Outreach

11.3.5 Cooperation and Coordination with State and Federal Agencies

11.3.6 Outreach to Other Regions

11.3.7 Outreach to Disadvantaged Communities and Environmental Justice

Concerns

Chapter 12 – Strategic Approach for Plan Implementation

12.1 Strategic Approach

12.2 Project Solicitation and Prioritization

12.3 Descriptions of Current High Priority Projects

Chapter 13 – Compliance with Statewide Priorities, Benefits and Impacts from IRWMP

Implementation

13.1 Compliance with Statewide Priorities

13.2 Overall Benefits of the IRWMP

13.2.1 Projects that Address Specific Regional Issues and Challenges

13.2.2 Projects that Are Consistent with State of California Program Preferences

13.2.3 Beneficiaries of IRWMP Implementation

13.3 Resource-specific Impacts

13.3.1 Aesthetic/Visual Resources

13.3.2 Agricultural Resources

13.3.3 Air Quality

13.3.4 Biological Resources

13.3.5 Cultural Resources

13.3.6 Environmental Justice/Disadvantaged Communities

- 10 -

13.3.7 Geology and Soils

13.3.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials

13.3.9 Hydrology and Water Quality

13.3.10 Land Use and Planning

13.3.11 Noise

13.3.12 Population and Housing

13.3.13 Public Services

13.3.14 Recreation

13.3.15 Transportation and Circulation

13.3.16 Utilities/Service Systems

13.4 Possible Obstacles to IRWMP Implementation

13.5 Ongoing Support and Financing

13.6 The IRWMP’s Role in Future Planning Efforts

Chapter 14 – Plan Performance, Data Management and Ongoing Coordination

14.1 Technical Analysis and Plan Performance

14.2 Data Management

14.3 Ongoing Coordination

Chapter 15 – References

ATTACHMENT 1 – AUTHORIZATION AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

APPENDIX F

DWR Letter from Tracie Billington

ATTACHMENT 1 – AUTHORIZATION AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

APPENDIX G

Kaweah River Basin IRWM Meeting Minutes and Scoring Criteria

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE

KAWEAH RIVER BASIN INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN HELD ON December 18, 2012

At approximately 1:40 p.m., at the office of the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District,

Kaweah River Basin IRWMP Coordinator Mark Larsen called the meeting to order.

Parties Present: Aaron Fukuda David Hoffman Denise Akins Don Mills Kim Loeb Dick Moss Mike Camarena Paul Boyer Dennis Keller Tom Weddle Mark Larsen Maria Herrera Shane Smith Mike Bond Nick Keller Kathleen Halvorsen PUBLIC COMMENT: Mark Larsen opened the meeting for public comment. No member of the public offered any comment. TULARE BASIN IRWMP: Mark Larsen updated the Committee on the latest developments of the Tulare Basin IRWMP, with focus on the watershed coordinator and the development of the website, as well as coordination in regards to dealing with climate change. KAWEAH ROUND 1 IMPLEMENTATION GRANT: Contract Status Report: Shane Smith reported they are continuing to work with DWR with regards to the five projects. Nick Keller will meet with the City of Visalia representatives to shore up the finishing details for their project and continue work on elements of the contract which should be finalized soon available for KDWCD and DWR approval. Labor Compliance Program Status Report: Shane Smith reported the Labor Compliance application has been submitted to DIR and is in review and is awaiting a response back from them. Project Implementation Status Report: Aaron Fukuda reported on the Swall Basin (Plum Basin). The grading work is complete and the SCADA and monitoring well are the next two phases to begin. Kim Loeb reported the public comment period on the revised DEIR for the City of Visalia/TID pipeline project closed and it is expected to get certified at the February 2013 city council meeting. Denise Akins reported a community has been identified to do a feasibility study for wells that could be abandoned but is unable to move forward without a contract. Dennis Keller reported that the Paregien Project culvert designs are complete and he is currently in negotiations with CalTrans with respect to approval of the designs as they impact State Highway 198. The structure design for Deep Creek is complete and in the process of signing a consultant agreement for soils testing for the levees to protect the sub grade on Hwy 198 and the

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impound levees off the Deep Creek structure. Mr. Keller has been in contact with Sequoia Rivers Land Trust and all environmental hurdles are moving along. Mr. Keller reported the city elements for the Oakes project are going to be covered by a Nationwide Exemption and is moving along. KAWEAH ROUND 2 IMPLEMENTATION GRANT: Project Submittal & Discussion: Mark Larson reported that Round 2 Implementation Grants will become due for submittal in late spring and opened a discussion with the Committee of any potential projects that could be evaluated and submitted for potential funding. Several projects were described by various stakeholders, and the City of Visalia’s Packwood Creek project, the City of Lindsay’s well CT Improvement project and Stormwater Improvement project, and the City of Farmersville’s Water Meter Improvement project were defined as strong potential projects for a Round 2 Implementation Grant Application from the Kaweah IRWM. The Committee agreed to return and meet on Friday, and discuss the prospective projects, scoring potential, and their element of readiness for submittal for Round 2 funding. ADJOURNMENT

Since there was no further business to come before the Stakeholders, the meeting was concluded.

Respectfully submitted,

_________________________________ Mark Larsen Coordinator

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE

KAWEAH RIVER BASIN INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN HELD ON January 17, 2012

At approximately 1:37 p.m., at the office of the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District,

Kaweah River Basin IRWMP Coordinator Mark Larsen called the meeting to order.

Parties Present: Aaron Fukuda Dana Jacobsen David Hoffman Jim May Juliette DeCampos Dick Moss Jessi Snyder Dennis Keller Shane Smith Mark Larsen Kim Loeb Kathleen Halvorsen PUBLIC COMMENT: Mark Larsen opened the meeting for public comment. No member of the public offered any comment. DWR IRWMP Grant Opportunities: Status Report: Mark Larsen reported that March 9, 2012, is the deadline to apply for a Planning Grant. AB303 grants are also available, but are not connected to the IRWM process. TULARE BASIN IRWMP:

Status Report: Dick Moss updated the Committee on the latest developments of the Tulare Basin IRWMP. Mr. Moss briefed the Committee on discussions at the San Luis Delta Mendota Water Authority and the Westside IRWMP interest in pursuing planning grant funding to research a Tulare base regional approach to climate change analysis. The potential for a common analysis of the potential variability of the Delta water supply, as a result to climate change, could be beneficial to all IRWMP’s. Dick Moss reported Kathy Wood, Watershed Coordinator, continues on with her efforts and has discussed forming a website. KAWEAH PLAN DEVELOPMENT: Plan Development Status: Mark Larsen updated the Committee on the Planning Grant Status. Dennis Keller discussed the governance structure of the Plan and the need to expand relationships within a certain areas. Planning Grant Discussion: Mark Larsen summarized for the Committee what would be the merit and elements are on applying for a Planning Grant, and the direction Dennis Keller is taking the functionally equivalent plan in a report for DWR.

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Dick Moss, of Provost & Pritchard, reported that the result of the sub-committee meetings was to submit a proposal to apply for a Planning Grant that focuses around a limited set of objectives, much along the lines of previous discussions, with the focus on what can be done to enhance the Plan that may qualify for Planning Grant funds. Mr. Moss discussed four areas of enhancement to the existing Plan which included governance to include participation by everyone in the group; vulnerability to Region; vulnerability associated to the restoration plan of the San Joaquin River and regional salinity management. A copy of Mr. Moss’ draft Plan is attached to these minutes, and marked as Exhibit “A”. The deadline for Planning Grant applications is March 9, 2012. The Committee discussed the handling of the local cost share component. The group discussed the commitment by the eight members of the MOU, if deciding to go forward, to support $15,000 for the grant application and an additional $20,000 for the Planning Grant with responses due back to Mark Larsen by January 27, 2012. KAWEAH IMPLEMENTATION GRANT CONTRACT: DWR Grant Deliverable Status: Mark Larsen briefed the group on the inquiry from DWR regarding local sponsor funding and discussed the Project Funding Allocation Breakdown, a copy of which is attached to these minutes and marked at Exhibit “B”. Project Implementation Status: Shane Smith updated the group on the latest developments of the Project Implementation Status. ADJOURNMENT

Since there was no further business to come before the Stakeholders, the meeting was concluded.

Respectfully submitted,

_________________________________ Mark Larsen Coordinator